What Are Progressive Slots and Jackpots?

November 25, 2015

There was a time when things were simpler. A jackpot was a jackpot, and a jackpot was a big win. However, there was also a time when slots machines paid out winnings in candy bars. Thank goodness for progress!

As gambling has developed, particularly online slots, some exciting twists have been introduced; among them, progressive slots and progressive jackpots. Generally, progressive slots offer progressive jackpots, but progressive jackpots aren’t only offered with slots – they are also available with some editions of games such as online Baccarat, Blackjack, or Roulette.

That’s all fine and well, but what are progressive slots such as Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, Major Millions and Tunzamuni? And what’s all this about the apparently fabulous jackpots they offer?

Basically, in progressive games instead of the jackpot being a fixed amount, it gets bigger with every coin bet. This happens either as a standalone, a local, or a wide area network progressive.

Standalone progressive jackpots are those fed solely by games played on a specific slot machine, and are usually found in land-based casinos. Local progressives feature jackpots fed by every coin bet on that specific game, and wide area network progressives are those fed by games at multiple casinos.

In some progressive slots, the full amount is awarded randomly, while in other games the jackpot is played for in a bonus game, and offers tiered winnings. In the case of Mega Moolah, the jackpot is played for in a randomly triggered bonus game by spinning a wheel of fortune. Depending on where the wheel comes to a stop, you could win the Mini, Minor, Major, or Mega jackpot.

Of course, the jackpot isn’t the only win offered by Mega Moolah. There are a number of higher and lower value reel symbols, as well as wild and scatter symbols that could bring you smaller wins.

Progressive slots are considered to be high variance, meaning that they require players to have a bigger bankroll and be able to bet more. In most progressive jackpot games players are also only eligible for the jackpot payout if they opt for the MaxBet amount.

If you’d like to try your hand at exciting progressive jackpot slots, you’re in luck. At Gaming Club there’s a great selection of these slots available, all linked to the Microgaming progressive jackpot network, which happens to be the biggest in the world.